Global war and local economy: a study of the impact of the seconda world war on southern Rhodesia tobacco industry with special reference to marketing, 1939-1965

Abstract

The global war that broke out in 1939 was a blessing in disguise for Southern Rhodesia's tobacco industry that had been suffering from various constrains. The Second World War boosted the tobacco industry in the country because it was from then onwards that it claimed its rightful place in the country's agricultural-driven economy. It is argued that government legislation introduced in the tobacco industry in the 1930s against the backdrop of the devastating Great Depression laid the foundation for the future success of the industry form the time of the war onwards. The war situation resulted in a tremendous increase in smoking in Britain, which increased the demand for flue-cured tobacco. This development was unfolding at a time when the country was facing critical dollar reserves shortages to enable her to continue purchasing tobacco from her traditional supplier, the United States of America (USA). It was under these circumstances that Britain turned to the Empire, and Southern Rhodesia in particular which had already shown great potential to produce large quantities of good quality tobacco. This paper therefore explores the tobacco industry in the context of the war with a view to unravel the circumstances in which the industry was able to overcome its problems.